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CAUSES OF ACUTE CONFUSION: FALLS AND BEREAVEMENT
Falls
Falls suffered by elderly people are the subject of numerous books. Suffice it to say that unless a good history of the fall is available, showing it was truly accidental, then a medical reason should be sought as the cause. Accidental falls though can be extremely unpleasant. The degree of physical damage is often slight but the jolt to the system can be enormous. Not only can an acute confusional state be precipitated but there can be a tremendous loss of confidence. If the fall occurred outside, the person may become house-bound. If it occurred indoors they may be frightened of moving about and use the furniture as desperate supports. Falls due to \'silent\' ill-health are often accompanied by an acute confusional state. In the very old and frail, falls can be an indicator of extremely serious consequences, as in some studies many of these people have died in the following year.
Bereavement
The death of loved ones comes to us all; it is perhaps more poignant in old age to lose one\'s partner of a lifetime or friends who one knew at school, then through adulthood and into old age. Perhaps most distressing of all is the loss of one\'s own children at a time when one was beginning to depend on them more and more. Grief knows no age barriers and is as intense at eighty as it is at twenty. Bereavement is another life event coming closely on the heels of many others at this time (loss of status, money, and perhaps home and health). Most elderly people cope with bereavement naturally, but some, especially the very frail, do not, and a confusional episode can occur. In most cases it is self-limiting and is helped if the natural grieving process can occur such as saying goodbye at a funeral service. Many carers feel that elderly people should be spared the ordeal of the funeral, but in many cases the funeral is a positive experience, as need to be present and contributing is fulfilled.
*11/128/5*
GENERAL HEALTH
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